Forme UK was commissioned by MACE and the FCO to act as design managers and interior design consultants for the British Embassy in Madrid. The existing Embassy, a 1960s building, was coming to the end of its natural life and did not facilitate the forward thinking approach to space that the FCO are now implementing. Torre Espacio, designed by IM PEI as part of the Quatro Torres zone on the Paseo de La Castelana was chosen as the new building for the Embassy.
Forme UK were responsible for providing a designed brief and ensuring that the several client groups, including HMA’s Ambassador to Spain, were regularly informed of design progress as well as developing finishes, Artwork proposals, detailed design and space planning services. Forme were also responsible for providing design guidance for design package work being produced in Spain by local design team, Aguirre Newman. The Building was occupied in July 2009 and now houses 240 staff from both Consular and Embassy sections in the one building for the first time.
‘The brand new embassy in the Torre Espacio is fantastic. The view from my office on the 40th floor is superb but, more importantly, the well-designed high tech premises provide a clear image of Britain today: modern, dynamic and outward looking. Whilst we are proud of our history, traditions and institutions, If Britain is to be taken seriously in today’s globalised world, we need to show that we are moving with the times’. Giles Paxman HM – Ambassador in Spain